1/72 Revell F-4F Phantom II 'Luftwaffe'

Gallery Article by Drewe Manton

 

This F-4F Phantom is based on the new Revell kit (I kinda like Phantoms. . can you tell?)  I finished it as an F-4F ICE (Improved Combat Efficiency) of JG-74 "Mölders", Luftwaffe. The ICE Phantom is a major upgrade for the F-4F, and finally gives the aircraft a BVR capability with it's APG-65 radar and AIM-120 missiles.  In fact quite a few F-15 and Tornado F-3 pilots got  a rude shock in the early 90's when these first showed up at Maple Flag exercises in Canada. The previously easy meat Phantom turned into a force to be reckoned with. . as witnessed by the televised mauling of a Tornado F-3 package in the TV series "Top Guns" ! The kit is really very nice, and gives the Hasegawa kits a run for their money in no uncertain terms!  I'd be happy for either model to fill my Phantom needs in the future, they are that close in overall quality.

 

Click on images below to see larger images

The model is basically SFTB. Seats are True Details resin, and canopy mirrors are from PP Aeroparts.  The kit includes a full complement of AMRAAMS and Sidewinders, but they really could do with replacing with items from Hasegawa weapons sets. I was all set to give mine a full load when I managed to lose one of the 'winder launch rails (easily done. . this is the first Phantom kit to get this detail right. . the Sidewinder rails attach via two very small points to the main pylon. . they are separate from each other, and not the "twin rail" style most representations would have you believe). Luckily I found pictures of F-4F's with only one 'Winder rail per pylon, and was able to model my Phantom thus, with an AIM-9L acquisition round on one pylon and a DACMI pod on the other. The DACMI pod is from Hasegawa and the acquisition round is a white metal item from a PP Aeroparts Tornado F-3 detail set. . . Having built these Sidewinders before (think 15 parts each. . in 72nd!) for a Jaguar I am in no hurry to repeat the exercise FOUR times for a Tornado F-3. . so the beautifully cast white metal body was perfect for the job!

The kit goes together without any great drama (in fact the wing is a very tight fit. . much better than Hasegawa's), tho' I did separate the intake ramps in order to paint them separately and add them at the end of construction.  Tail area was painted with SNJ in varying shades, the weld marks on the forward part of the tailplanes is done with Tamiya smoke and a fine brush.  All main paints are from Humbrol. The model is painted in the latest "Norm 90J" scheme of 37375,36320 and 35237 using Blu-Tack rolled into sausages to mark out the camouflage.  Weathering is my normal mix. . .dark grey oil paint scrubbed into the panel lines and removed with plenty of fresh kitchen roll, post shading with various shades of grey paint, more airbrushed weathering on the underside with heavily thinned Tamiya flat black, and finally some oil streaking and staining with black oil paint applied in small blobs and wiped in the direction of the airflow.  The paint patching apparent on the model was done with enamel paint and a fine brush.

Decals are a mixture. . stencils and squadron markings from the kit, codes and national insignia are from TL decals of Germany and the "slime lights" are from Pro-Modeller (I picked up three sets on holiday in California. . . I now have enough correctly coloured slime lights to illuminate most of the US air force!)  Final finish is Tamiya clear with flat base mixed in to give that very slight sheen that these Phantoms exhibit.

Nice model of one of my favourite subjects, and I was very pleased with the results.  Model was built over a 10-12 day period in late June/early July.

Drewe Manton

      

Photos and text © by Drewe Manton